Declaration of Inclusion Letter

Declaration of Inclusion

AN OPEN LETTER TO CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE IN THE U.S.A.

DECLARATION OF INCLUSION

In order to become a more perfect union, the United States must constantly strive to be an inclusive democracy that treats all people fairly and fully embraces the unique contributions of its diverse residents.

Yet, there are some who—because of beliefs rooted in fear, ignorance, prejudice, and hate—would effectively shut the door on economic opportunity, legal protection, and democratic freedoms for those whom they consider different.

We must restrain these regressive forces if America is to reach its fullest potential.

Towards this goal, we the people of the United States of America of every race, color, creed, class, and gender, commit ourselves to advancing an Inclusion Revolution® that centers the value of diversity and inclusion in our democracy and reinforces it through the economic, political, policy, cultural, and social systems that shape our nation.

In order to achieve this vision, our country’s leaders must also commit—in word and deed—to promoting enlightened understanding that our nation’s diversity is our promise, not our problem, and the basis of our democracy’s strength and prosperity.

Accordingly, we call on the 2016 U.S. presidential contenders and other candidates for public office to pledge support for this Declaration of Inclusion, which demonstrates their commitment to advancing a fair and inclusive society through policies, programs, and practices that:

Support a culture of health by advancing equitable, health-promoting options for all people and communities.

Stand for equal justice under the law through police, prison, and legal reforms that guard civil liberties and protect human rights.

Foster cross-cultural understanding through education and collaboration and by avoiding divisiveness.

Americans of all backgrounds deserve to live in a country where they are secure in their constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They also deserve to have leaders who truly believe that these fundamental rights are universal.

A candidate worthy of holding public office in the United States of America should also be willing to demonstrate his or her commitment to fairly representing all people by endorsing this declaration.

Sincerely,

XXX

*
1.Please type your name, title, and institutional affiliation or profession in the manner in which you would like for it to appear on the letter.

First Name:

Last Name:

Organization or Profession:

Title:

Email Address:

Maya Rockeymoore, President & CEOCenter for Global Policy Solutions

James FirmanPresident and CEONational Council on Aging

Andrew Kassoy, Co-founderB Lab

Terry I. Lierman, Partner and FounderSummit Global Ventures

Robert "Bob" WiseFormer GovernorWest Virginia

Hugh B. PriceFormer PresidentNational Urban League

Carroll L. Estes, Founding DirectorInstitute for Health and AgingUniversity of California San Francisco

Rashad Robinson, Executive DirectorColorofChange.org

Thomas ShapiroDirector, Institute on Assets and Social PolicyPokross Professor of Law and Social PolicyThe Heller School for Social PolicyBrandeis University

The Honorable Elijah CummingsMember of Congress

Gary OrfieldDistinguished Research ProfessorUCLA

John H. Jackson, President & CEOSchott Foundation for Public Education